The Building and Development Party – the political wing of Egypt's Gamaa Islamyia movement – announced on Tuesday that it would take part in a planned Friday protest to demand the application of Islamic Law in the country's new constitution.

"Gamaa Islamyia calls on whoever believes in God, Islam and Prophet Mohamed to support their law, as Egypt's secularist forces are working to eradicate the presence of Islamic Law in the constitution," read the statement, which went on to urge Egyptians to participate in the planned demonstration.

The protest – organised by several political Islamist groups, including Gamaa Islamiya and the Salafist Calling – had initially been planned for 2 November, but was delayed by one week in order to mobilise more participants.

Hundreds of Islamist supporters nevertheless gathered in Tahrir Square last Friday to stage a preliminary rally.

According to the group's statement, protesters will demand a major role for Islamic Law within Egypt's new national charter by including a constitutional article stating that Islamic law constitute "the main source of legislation."

The issue has provoked a heated dispute among Islamist and non-Islamist members of the Constituent Assembly (tasked with drafting a new constitution), with 'civil' – i.e., non-religious – forces calling for the article in question to remain unchanged from the 1971 constitution.

The previous charter had stated that only the "principles" of Islamic Law should represent the main source of legislation in Egypt.

Implementation of Islamic Law in Egypt's constitution has been a primary objective of several Islamist parties and groups in the wake of last year's Tahrir Square uprising.

At a panel discussion held in Alexandria on Monday, Salafist preacher and Salafist Calling member Abdel-Moneim El-Shahat vowed that the Salafist Calling "would not compromise" on the issue of the implementation of Islamic Law.

"We're going to mobilise the streets," said El-Shahat. "Every Egyptian who cares about their religion will demand that Islamic Law be fully – not gradually – applied under the terms of the constitution."

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Nora

10-11-2012 03:45pm

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A fake likabilir

I have read that some Christians in Egypt want Sharaia be applied on them. I think you call themself Christians 38. Regardless your stand on the issue, in a democracy, majority rules. You can dislike this 100 times, but it wouldn't make your opinion popular.

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Tarek Nadi

08-11-2012 07:16am

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Really

These are the people who are holding us back, when we have laws based on individuals beliefs, it will hamper the nation. Just like Mubarak's authoritarian reign, when he warned us of Islamist and religious forces, and the reason to implement these draconian laws to stop our beloved Egypt from falling. These "Religious" people are now wanting to implement their beliefs on people who necessarily don't believe or want to follow their laws. When we have a really FREE Egypt, then we will really be on the right path. My fellow Egyptians. Please don't let people ruin this revolution, it already has been hi-jacked, don't let it be a complete shame.
I hope you vote and choose laws who allow everyone, Muslim, as myself, or Christians, Jewish, or any other belief, just like many of my brothers, live in peace and harmony with great freedoms. For only if we let our people, us Egyptians, Sons of the Pharaohs imagination and creativity be the main factor, will we be great again.
Please let us

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Hassan

08-11-2012 02:27am

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Get your priorities straight

This is amazing and ridiculous, as it is stated clearly in the Qoran and sunna that there is no forcefulness or imposition in belief. The only Judge of what is in your heart is God and Only God. these extreme thoughts have nothing to do with true Islam, which is based freedom in worship. Egypt and all it's people must stand united and prevent any one Group of imposing their beliefs on others. The constitution must be for all Egyptians. worshiping is a personal relationship between you and God.
Egypt is in need of so many things, and God will never help those unless they help themselves.
Get your priorities and your focus in order and stop leaning on and blaming religions for your doing.
wake up and accept each other and work together as one nation and ONE GOD and ONE JUDGE, most certainly not you, to reach your common Goals, peace and prosperity and not division and hatred.

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Zizou

07-11-2012 05:45pm

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A country with no sense of priorities

This country has a water crisis, a food crisis and an energy crisis. It has no valuable resource (we now net import oil). We go around begging other countries for pocket change and this is the biggest issue? In the past year the two biggest issues have been Gaza and Sharia. Never mind the fact that we are living in a perfect storm. There will be food riots in a year maximum and this is the biggest issue, whether or not we should amputate arms, cut off tongues and put women in cages. And we wonder why no one supports democracy in the Middle East...By the way, anyone care to remind me of all the successful Shariah states out there?...

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Maram

07-11-2012 08:52pm

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Thank U for spending time adding hundred pluses to your selves

I hope you had mentioned those priorities to parties went to ask the president about 100 days in a Friday protest and who call for dismissal of constitution assembly just because they were not in it and who go to support any strike

Maram

07-11-2012 08:52pm

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Thank U for spending time adding hundred pluses to your selves

I hope you had mentioned those priorities to parties went to ask the president about 100 days in a Friday protest and who call for dismissal of constitution assembly just because they were not in it and who go to support any strike

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Mark

07-11-2012 02:03pm

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Interpritation

Gods law is one thing but when it is twisted and implemented by religious Zealots who wish to impose their own version of it onto the people. How religious you are and how you practice it I'd a personal choice and therefore should not form dictatorial form of governance. And of course anyone who opposes it will be Kifr and threatened with death same as those who voted for Shafiq